Monday, December 14, 2009

Now we are truly in winter mode in our gardens, which to us northern gardeners means we look back fondly on summer and forward to spring. One thing I also like to do is remember the fabulous gardens I've been fortunate to visit during the past year. One of those is Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

At the end of June, Mom and I, along with friend Sue, spent about four hours there one glorious, although somewhat rainy afternoon. The good thing about going to a place like Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is that someone like me takes a boatload of pictures that I have to go through when I get home. The bad thing about going to a place like Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is that someone like me takes a boatload of pictures that I have to go through when I get home.If you've never visited these unbelievable gardens, your life as a gardener isn't complete. From their website:

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park opened in April 1995 after 13 years of planning and fundraising by the West Michigan Horticultural Society. In 1990, Frederik and Lena Meijer were asked for their support, and they embraced the concept of a major cultural attraction centering around horticulture and sculpture. The original vision has turned into a top cultural destination within the Midwest region, known internationally for the quality of its art and gardens.

I'm not sure I can adequately describe in words or pictures the scope and beauty of this place. As Michigan's second most-visited tourist attraction (Mackinac Island is the first), in May 2009 it was named on of the "Top 30 Must-See Museums" of the world.I had a very hard time choosing what to tell and what to show here in one blog post. That's why it has taken me so long to finally post this. For every photo you see here, there are five more on my hard drive. I just couldn't stop taking them.

As Mom, Sue and I roamed around the 132 acres of beauty and inspiration, there was just one ooh and ahh moment after another. I could have spent all day and then some, exploring the gardens, conservatory, and sculpture park. It is recommended that you spend at least four hours to see everything and state on their website that it can take up to eight. For me, it could take eighteen.

Here we go...

You don't have to go outside to see beautiful plant life...

The welcome center itself is a work of art. Those are bronze insets in the floor.

Note the Chihuly "chandelier."

The cafeteria ceiling features Chihuly glass in shades of orange...

...as well as gorgeous blues and greens.

I love this!

Wish I could remember what these fabulous lavender flowers are.

As you enter the gardens from the welcome center, you are greeted by this beautiful water feature.

There are many areas left to be decorated by nature.

I saw my first Cedar Waxwing, up close and personal here!

This smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria) caught the attention of everyone who passed by it.

What wonderful relief from this dull grey day. Your photos are remarkable. I love the watering can display. I am surprised that there is a monkey tree there. I wonder if they take it inside during winter? The Great Lakes exhibitis a good teaching tool. Gosh you could learn the lakes and not even know you were learning. It looks like such fun.The hourse at the end looks more like the Trojan Horse than the American Horse. Every large garden should have a horse in it. This post just made my day seem so bright.

Forgot to mention, I love cedar waxwings and had never seen one until this year, either, but not at Meijer. Did you happen to pick up their brochure "Take Flight with Birds"? it shows what birds are likely to hang out where int he gardens (incl. the conservatory).

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